Committee Set Up To Probe Simhachalam Wall Collapse

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the tragic deaths of seven devotees due to a wall collapse at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Simhachalam.

A large number of devotees had gathered for the darshan of the deity's original form today, when a section of the queue line wall collapsed following heavy midnight rains, leading to the fatalities.

Upon learning of the incident, the CM held a teleconference with ministers Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, Anita and Anagani Satya Prasad; MP Bharat; district officials; and Simhachalam Temple Trust Chairman Ashok Gajapathi Raju.

In the conference Naidu inquired about the details of the incident. He described the incident as heartbreaking, and directed officials to provide emergency medical treatment to the injured.

Extending condolences to the bereaved families, the Chief Minister announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh to the families of each of the deceased, and sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 3 lakh for each of the injured.

He also announced that a member from each bereaved family be given an outsourcing job under the Endowments Department.

The CM also ordered a three-member committee to conduct an inquiry into the wall collapse.

He also instructed officials to promptly clear the debris at the site to avoid inconvenience to devotees, and ordered precautionary measures to ensure safety and prevent panic among the public.